How is it that the same South African government, which challenged Israel at the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza, could also impose censorship on an artistic performance addressing Palestinian sorrow? The explanation lies in the decisions made by South Africa’s conservative Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie.
In a compelling opinion piece, Christina Sharpe, a noted writer and scholar, alongside Rinaldo Walcott, a professor from the University of Buffalo, condemn McKenzie’s choice to withdraw artist Gabrielle Goliath’s work, Elegy, from the national pavilion at the forthcoming Venice Biennale. They describe this as a “betrayal” of the anti-Apartheid movement’s legacy.
Sharpe and Walcott assert, “The cancellation of Elegy by South Africa risks aligning with a series of disreputable actions designed to erase Gaza and Palestinians from the art world’s public dialogue.” They emphasize that comparing this act to a shockwave from ongoing genocide trauma is not an exaggeration, highlighting the devastating impact of official censorship from a government that has previously urged the world to recognize Israeli atrocities.
